JOIN USDeccan Herald rates the performances of the Indian players in the World Cup:
Shikhar Dhawan
(8 games, 412 runs, two 100s, one 50). Rating: 8/10
Even before the start of the World Cup, team director Ravi Shastri had boldly predicted that the left-hander will be India’s star performer in the tournament and clearly he was one, emerging as India’s top run-getter. Just like how India turned around their fortunes so did Dhawan, banishing the poor run in Tests and the tri-series.
MS Dhoni
(8 games, 237 runs, two fifties, 15 ct/st). Rating: 7.5/10
The captain cool was inspirational and led the team with a lot of imagination and aggression. He brought a turnaround in team’s fortunes after a disastrous Test and one-day series. He saved India the blushes on two occasions with the bat but a few more runs would have only enhanced his reputation.
Mohammad Shami
(7 games, 17 wkts, 17.29 avg) Rating: 7/10
The paceman led India’s attack admirably after an average outing in Tests and tri-series. He won Dhoni’s trust and matches for India with breakthroughs in all the matches he played till the semifinal. Perhaps, that partly explains India’s failure as a bowling unit against Australia.
Suresh Raina
(8 games, 237 runs, One hundred, 2 fifties) Rating: 6.5/10
He wasn’t quite the Yuvraj Singh of India’s 2015 campaign but performed well in his assigned role.
He could anchor and accelerate with effortless ease as we saw in the matches against Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. His contribution in these matches was very crucial. Of course, he was brilliant in the field as he always has been.
R Ashwin
(8 games, 30 runs, 13 wkts, 25.38 avg). Rating: 6.5/10
The number of wickets doesn’t exactly reveal the quality of bowling the off-spinner put on show on largely unhelpful conditions but those who have followed India’s progress will vouch for his value. He was brilliant against Pakistan and was the only bowler who reined in the Australian batsmen in the semifinal.
Umesh Yadav
(8 games, 18 wkts, 17.83 avg) Rating: 6/10
He was the fastest among the Indian pacers but not exactly the most consistent one. He formed a good pace combination with Shami and Mohit Sharma and emerged as India’s second highest wicket-taker. But he could have done with more control and accuracy.
Mohit Sharma
(8 games, 13 wkts, 24.15 avg) Rating: 5.5/10
The Haryana pacer came in as a replacement for the injured Ishant Sharma and did no harm to his cause as a first-change bowler. He used his slow bouncers and the back-of-hand deliveries with great skill and effect. Like in the case of Ashwin, the wickets don’t really do justice to his utility.
Virat Kohli
(8 games, 305 runs, One 100, two fifties). Rating: 5.5/10
Despite being India’s third highest run-getter, he is rated so low because he failed to meet expectations in two knockout games. He started off with a century against Pakistan and managed some decent scores before tapering off completely. The semifinal was the biggest let down where he belied all expectations.
Rohit Sharma
(8 games, 330 runs, One hundred, two fifties). Rating: 5/10
Except for his knock against Bangladesh, the right-hander didn’t have much to show for in the whole of the tournament. He did get two half-centuries (against the UAE and Ireland) but his performance wouldn’t be rated this high if not for the match-winning knock in the quarterfinals.
Ajinkya Rahane
(8 games, 208 runs, One fifty) Rating: 4.5/10
The Mumbai batsman couldn’t quite maintain the same tempo he generated with a bristling knock against South Africa. The pocket dynamo was unbelievably good during counter-attacking innings but he wasn’t the same after that innings.
Ravindra Jadeja
(8 games, 57 runs, 9 wkts). Rating: 2/10
MS Dhoni’s belief in him was unflinching but the all-rounder had a poor tournament by any standard. Look at his numbers and you would wonder how Jadeja managed to feature in all of India’s matches. But that’s what happens when you try to get the balance right.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
(1 game, 1 wkt, 19 avg). Rating: 1/10
It’s harsh to judge a player based on his performance in just one match. From being India’s spearhead not too long ago to warming the bench, it’s been a massive climb down for the UP paceman. But in different conditions, he could be India’s strike force again.
Stuart Binny, Ambati Rayudu and Axar Patel didn’t figure in a single match.